Originally Posted by mconlonx

A multi-speed single speed??? Why? I mean, I know the answer, it was mentioned in previous posts, but if that's what you're after, get a wheel with a cassette or freewheel on it, and use an old derailleur as a tensioner. You can get some adjustment just out of the hi-lo adjustment screws. Go a step further and use about a 4" length of shift cable with the lead stop in the derailleur adjuster screw. That will give you two or three gears just by manipulating the barrel adjuster, more if you bring a wrench along to adjust the cable length. Or another step up, rig an old friction shifter off one of your fender/rack eyelets out back, for full use of the entire cog stack. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...i+speed+single Any of which would be cheaper than even just the double freewheel you need for a 2-speed. Maybe not as clean looking as a double, and how horrible would it be for the other monogear cognoscente to mistake your bike for a *shudder* true shifting bike? If it's the looks you're after, then maybe a hub geared wheel/bike for those days with inclement weather?

I can see the appeal of a double chainring/cog setup for a fixed gear bike in certain circumstances, but will never understand why anyone would pay an upcharge for multiple gears on a "single speed," when there are other, cheaper multiple-gear solutions out there...

http://maine.craigslist.org/bik/447045794.html

vs.

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1555